Rubber sponge.



PATENTED DEC. 4, 1906.

G. M. G. WESTON. RUBBER SPONGE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24,1905.

\A/ITFIEESEE: 2 %WW GRACE M. G. WESTON, ()F NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

RUBBER SPONGE- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 4, 1906.

Application filed June 24, 1905. Serial No. 266,897.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GnAcn M. G. VVES'ION, a citizen of the United States, residing in Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rubber Sponges, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to that class of goods termed in the trade rubber sponges, such articles being made of rubber in the form and structure similar to natural sponges and being used for bathing and cleansing purposes.\

It is found in practice that after soap has been applied to the surface of a rubber sponge it does not remain as long on the sponge as is the case with natural sponges. In other words, the soap which has been rubbed upon a rubber sponge is easily washed off, owing to the smooth quality of the material of which the sponge is made. After the soap has thus become removed from the surface of the sponge the sponge is somewhat harsh when applied to the skin.

It is the object of this invention to so con struct a rubber sponge that the soap will not quickly become removed, but that, on the contrary, there will he a constant and continuous supply of soap working to the surface of the sponge, whereby the surface is always thus supplied and is prevented from presenting a comparatively harsh surface to the skin.

The nature of the invention is fully described below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a horizontal section of a rubber sponge embodying my invention, taken on line 1 1, Fig. 2, the cake of soap being shown in plan. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, taken on line 2 2, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

a represents a rubber sponge, the sha e shown in the drawin s being elliptical. T e invention is applicable, however, to rubber sponges of any shape. I provide this s onge with a central chamber or cavity 1) o suitable size and shape to receive an ordinary cake of soa c. Preferably this chamber is lon itudina ly located in order that its flat suaces may face or be parallel withthe fiat top and bottom of the spon e. By this means the different portions 0 the surface of the soap are nearly equidistant from the corresponding surfaces of the sponge. A horizontal cut is made in the sponge, whereby a passage e is provided form one end to the cavity 1), said passage being somewhat narrower than the cavity in the sponge. The opposite horizontal walls of this passage are provided with a fastener, referably of the all-and-socket style, and t 10 two members f and g of this fastener are provided with corresponding opposite extensions or wings h, said wings being furnished with suitable holes k, whereby the two members are sewed to the sponge against the opposite faces of the passage (2.

To apply the soap to the sponge, the walls of the passage 0 are spread apart by forcing apart t 10 outer pair of wings h, and thus disengaging the two members of the fastener from. each other. The soap is then forced into the passage, which stretches to receive it, and'through it into the cavity b. The passage then of course closes, thereby preventing the sponge from working out 0 its position in the cavity. It is advisable, however, to lock the passage by means of the fastener, inasmuch as the soap is constantly decreasing in size by use and might otherwise escape through the passage. The sponge is placed in water in the ordinary manner, an as it is applied to the person the soap, or the lather therefrom, through the pores in the rubber sponge to the surface thereof, so that the surface of the sponge is continuously supplied with lather or soapy material. The surface of the sponge, therefore, never presents when wet the harsh quality above mentioned.

The sponge can be washed in the ordinary manner either with or without removing the soap, which may remain in position until it is entirely used, when a new cake of soap may be applied to the passage e.

In practice the wings or lips h afford a leverage for opening the fastener and are considerable aid in providing an easy means of forcing apart the walls of the passage, as well as in.facilitating the sewing of the fastener to the sponge.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A rubber sponge provided with a chamber or cavity adapted to receive a cake of soap, and a passage leading from said chamber or cavity to the outer surface of the is constantly working sponge; and a. fastening device Within the passage whereby the walls thereof are sesoap, and e passage leading from said chamber or cavity to the outer surface of the Sponge; and e fastening device secured to the sponge within the passage, and comprising two members provided with extensions or 10 wings h, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GRACE M. G. WESTON. Witnesses:

HENRY W. WILLIAMs, A. K. H001). 

